Hillary Ace-in-the-Hole: Superdelegates

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama each pulled off an electoral victory in early decision states Iowa and New Hampshire, but Clinton enjoys a sizeable lead over Obama in the number of so-called superdelegates committed to her.

These delegates are Democratic insiders, including members of Congress and governors, who can cast votes at the Democratic convention in August regardless of primary results.

A Democratic candidate must win 2,025 votes at the convention to secure the nomination, and superdelegates hold 796 of those votes.

According to CNN, Hillary has so far received endorsements from 154 superdelegates, while Obama has 50 and John Edwards has 33.

But that could change.

“Analysts are closely watching whether Democrats who have remained on the fence will continue the trend of backing Mrs. Clinton or will step up support for Mr. Obama,” the Financial Times reports.

One Democratic insider told the Times: “Superdelegates are like Claude Rains in the movie ‘Casablanca.’ They will go whichever way the wind blows, and the wind is blowing Obama.”